The one question that should never be asked again on The Bachelor.

Picture this: you’re on a romantic date. Your potential significant other has just told you you’re really, really, ridiculously good looking and that you smell like sunshine and cinnamon (it’s a thing).

You’re looking deep into their eyes. Things are going SO WELL RIGHT NOW.

And then, they turn to you and ask, “So, why are you still single?”

Umm, I’m sorry, but what the actual eff? Consider this mood successfully killed.

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This isn’t just a question that we are all bound to be asked at same stage in our dating lives. The girls (and yes, even Richie, too) have been forced to endure what can only be described as the most pointless questions ever on the latest season of The Bachelor.

Just last week, Richie asked ‘date intruder’ Stephanie this exact thing.

“I’ve gotta ask…you’re absolutely gorgeous, you can ride a quad, you seem very adventurous…how are you still single?” he asked.

I get it, Richie Rich. You mean it as a compliment.

You're trying to tell Steph you want to date her because she's cool/pretty/smart/fun and you are clearly the first person who's ever noticed those redeeming qualities and therefore you should be her number one man friend.

But here's my problem: this question is super lazy. It's the dating equivalent of that dreaded 'what is your greatness weakness' question in a job interview. You know, the one where you're supposed to pretend "always being early" or "being too organised" are actually bad things.

When you're asked this question, you're supposed to list off your past dating experience. You're supposed to summarise all of your cute and totally not slightly insane qualities.

You're supposed to pretend that being single is the worst thing that's ever happened to you and will you please, please, please save me from being alone?

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Which means there are a lot of ways you can answer this question in the wrong way. Be too specific about the nasty ex and how they broke your heart? Gone. Laugh off the question and don't take TRUE LOVE seriously? Gone. Talk too much about how you love being independent, giving off the impression you're happy and secure on your own and don't need no man to make you happy? Gone.

If a first date was a 'Choose Your Own Adventure' novel, the 'why are you single question' would be the equivalent of your date skipping ahead to make sure they haven't made the wrong decision and end up dead.

What I'm trying to say is, YOU DESERVE BETTER THAN THIS QUESTION. It's a red flag. If you're asked this question, you should drop everything and run. It's over.

Or... you could have some fun with it.

Next time someone asks you why you're still single, I say throw one of these bad boys back in their face.

"Oh, why am I still single? Because...:"

• I have sex with people and then I eat them.
• I just find one night stands really fulfilling.
• I have three vaginas and it really overwhelms my sexual partners.
• I'm actually allergic to the physical touch of another human being.
• Most guys find the wedding dress I have hanging in my bedroom a bit creepy.
• I'm not. I'm just super into cheating.
• I JUST WANT A HUSBAND. IS THAT SO BAD!?!?
• I don't really know. But tell me, are you ready to be a dad?
• Guys I date just don't tend to enjoy my Ryan Gosling shrine as much as I do.

Or, you could just offer up the truth, and scream "BECAUSE I DECIDE WHEN AND WHO I DATE, MATE, IT'S 2016" in their face. #RealTalk.

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